2009 was a disappointing year for Jay Bruce, both before and after his injury.  That might be cause for concern with some people.  For a 22-year old outfielder, it was just a bump in the road.

The Reds took Bruce in the first round of the 2005 draft out of high school in Texas.  He had a solid pro debut in 2005, put up a strong year at Dayton in 2006, then chewed through three levels in 2007.  With Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. on the flanks, the Reds were not sure that Bruce was ready to be a major league center fielder, so they signed Corey Patterson and put Bruce back at Louisville.  He only stayed there for 49 games, tearing up the International League to the tune of a .364 average, and was called up to the big club to replace the faltering Patterson.

Bruce did an adequate job in center, and hit reasonably well for age 21 in the majors.  With the trade of the veterans near season’s end, he shifted to his more natural position of right field and finished his rookie year with a .254 average and 21 HR in 108 games.  So, in 2009, he was sure to improve.

Except that he didn’t.  Bruce was terrific in right field, as part of the Reds’ defensive renaissance.  He hit for much the same power as the year before.  The catch was that he did not hit for a very good average.  His line drive rate plunged, and his batting average on balls in play likewise suffered.  Bruce seemed to have trouble squaring up the ball and driving it.  His batting average dipped to .223.

In spite of that, Bruce had an increase in slugging percentage.  He hit 22 HR and had 58 RBI in 345 AB.  When he returned to the lineup in the last couple of weeks, his batting average slowly improved.  We should worry more, if Bruce was not just 22.

It is in Bruce that the Reds can hope for a better 2010.  If there is one player on the team who can improve in 2010 it is certainly him.  It is Bruce that has the ability to develop into the cleanup hitter the Reds lack.  Bruce has all the ability to develop into a 30 HR, 100 RBI guy in short order, all while playing Gold Glove defense.  If he can combine that with hitting .275 or better, then the Reds will have a true star on their hands.  That, more than anything, gives the Reds hope to push forward in the future.  When Bruce truly arrives, he can carry the Reds to the next level with him.

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 2:10 pm and is filed under 2009 review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.